Croatia v Spain: Elevated by eloquence

Deputy Sports Editor

Monday 18 June 2012

First the bad news for Craig Levein and Scotland's hopes of World Cup qualification.

Coach Slaven Bilic delivers instructions to his players ahead of their match against world champions Spain in Gdansk in Poland. Picture: Reuters

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James Morgan

Group A rivals Croatia have not been outside the top 10 of FIFA's world rankings since 2006. Worse still, while the rankings tend to be a poor barometer of ability and, instead, more of an indication of opponents faced, Croatia can claim to be among the world's elite. They have demonstrated as much in this competition, thus far, with a convincing win over the Republic of Ireland and a draw with Italy that puts them within sight of the quarter-finals for the third time at a European Championship.

For each of the six years that Croatia have enjoyed top-10 status, Slaven Bilic has been at the helm. Encouraging his players to listen to inspiring music before and after games, the former West Ham United and Everton defender is part-rockstar, part-pirate and part-tactical genius. It is no surprise that he demands free-flowing football given the talents at his disposal. He personifies a team that does not want for unity. Football is the heartbeat of his nation and when Bilic spoke yesterday about the disciplinary action taken by UEFA against it in the wake of supporters' racist chanting, he did so from the heart."I don't like these people," he said. "I don't want them supporting us. We don't want them in the stadium. We are angry with these stupid fans. We need to stop them forever. That's my personal opinion. I think there is a problem all over Europe and the world. But as a Croat, a parent, a sportsman who comes from a modern, open-minded country, I don't think there is a specific problem in Croatia with racism. We are a tolerant society."Bilic is eloquent too, and his team's play reflects that. The good news for Scotland football fans? Bilic will leave for Lokomotiv Moscow when Croatia's participation in this tournament comes to an end. The successor to the 43-year-old is an equally familiar name. Igor Stimac, formerly of Derby County and West Ham United but now a co-commentator for Croatian television, has been tasked with continuing Bilic's steady work. In many ways, this is the story of Croatian football – of quiet regeneration, of replacing squad pieces with equal or better talent. There is a linear aspect to a nation that has produced midfielders as talented from Robert Prosinecki and Zvonimir Boban to Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic. The changing of the guard happens without fanfare: when Ivica Olic was ruled out of Euro 2012 a week before kick-off, Mario Mandzukic was promoted to a starting role. He is joint-top scorer for the tournament. Imagine how Levein would fare if he lost Kenny Miller for even just a couple of matches during World Cup qualifying.While Scotland suffers from what can be euphemistically described as "cyclical trends", Croatia does not. The nation's home record alone bears witness to their resolve. In 88 games, they have won 55 and lost just seven. There is little to suggest that that loss column will be seriously threatened in the foreseeable future, not with a new crop of prodigious midfielders just waiting to supplement Modric – touted for a move this summer to Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United – and his colleagues.The Dinamo Zagreb partnership of Mateo Kovacic and Milan Badelj should one day continue the line of distinguished Croatian artists to grace major tournaments. Indeed, Badelj has been included in Bilic's squad for Ukraine and Poland and is viewed as a ready-made replacement for Modric. Kovacic is of even greater interest. The 18-year-old, who was born in Austria, has been a target for Europe's top clubs since first coming to prominence in Lask Linz's academy at the tender age of 13. He has drawn favourable comparisons with Prosinecki, yet his incredible dribbling ability has brought the inevitable "Croatian Messi" labels.For now, Croatia are dreaming of a quarter-final against the runners-up in Group D, and a win tonight against Spain will be enough to guarantee it. A draw and they will be reliant on Italy not bettering their own 3-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland for a place in the last eight. And, yet, even if they lose to Spain, they will return home with their reputation intact, if not exactly enhanced.All of which makes uncomfortable reading for Scotland and Craig Levein.

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Croatia v Spain: Elevated by eloquence

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